Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche, Lübeck

Sculpture in Lübeck

The Devil at St. Marien Kirche, Lübeck
The Devil at St. Marien Kirche, Lübeck

The devil statue at St. Marien-Kirche is one of the must-see places in Lübeck if you enjoy the mix of serious history and light-hearted legend. Crouched outside the northern wall of St. Mary's Church, this small bronze figure with horns, tail, and a mischievous grin is a playful counterpoint to the vast Brick Gothic church towering above it. Created by artist Rolf Goerler in 1999, the sculpture brings to life a medieval tale in which the devil himself supposedly helped build the church-before realising he had been tricked.

According to the legend, the devil thought the huge construction site was a future tavern, happily hauling stones and speeding up the work in anticipation of all the sin and revelry to come. When he discovered it was actually a church, he was furious and threatened to smash it, but the townspeople promised to build a tavern nearby just for him. Amused, he spared the church-and to this day, there is still a tavern close by that keeps the story alive. The statue is often visited on walking tours of Lübeck and has become a favourite photo stop, especially for visitors who rub the devil's knee for good luck.

History and Significance of the Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche

The legend of the devil at St. Marien-Kirche is part of Lübeck's rich tradition of storytelling, where faith, superstition, and humour blend together. In medieval times, tales like this helped explain grand building projects and bring them closer to everyday life. The idea that the devil could be fooled into helping construct a church captures a certain northern wit: clever townspeople outsmarting evil with a promise and a nearby tavern.

The bronze statue itself is a relatively recent addition, installed in 1999, but it quickly became woven into the city’s identity. Artist Rolf Goerler chose to depict the devil not as terrifying, but as small, compact, and almost approachable, with a grin that suggests he’s in on the joke. His seated posture and rounded forms make the sculpture inviting rather than threatening, which is exactly why children and adults alike are drawn to sit beside him, touch his horns, or rest a hand on his knee.

Placed beside one of northern Germany's greatest Gothic churches, the devil statue also serves as a reminder that even the grandest architecture has human stories attached. While St. Marien-Kirche symbolises Lübeck's spiritual, economic, and cultural power, the devil's tale reflects the city's love of narrative and its ability to temper solemnity with a touch of playfulness. Together, they show how Lübeck's past is not only monumental, but also deeply personal.

Things to See and Do in the Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche

Begin your visit by approaching St. Marien-Kirche from the old town streets and circling around to the northern side, where the devil statue sits near the church wall. From a distance, you'll first notice the contrast between the immense brick bulk of the church and the small, crouching figure at its base. Up close, take time to study the details: the horns, tail, cloven feet, and that unmistakably cheeky expression.

Sit down beside the statue-many visitors do-and you’ll see why it has become such a beloved photo spot. The devil is positioned low and solid, with enough space around him for people to perch on the bench-like stones nearby. Rubbing his knee has become a kind of informal ritual, said to bring good luck or at least guarantee a memorable picture. It’s a simple, tactile way to connect with the legend, especially fun for families and younger travellers.

After spending time with the statue, step back to take a wider view of the church and square. From here, you can imagine the medieval building site that first sparked the story and picture the devil hauling stones in the shadow of the future towers. Combine your stop at the devil statue with a visit inside St. Marien-Kirche to see the shattered bells and soaring nave, and then perhaps drop into a nearby tavern to complete the circle of the legend. This spot is one of the best places to see in Lübeck if you want to experience how myth, humour, and architecture all fit together.

How to Get to the Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche

If you're arriving from abroad, you'll most likely fly into Hamburg Airport, which has numerous European and some long-haul connections; from there, direct trains and regional services take you to Lübeck, and St. Marien-Kirche with its devil statue is just a short walk from the old town centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lübeck on Booking.com.

By train, you'll arrive at Lübeck Hauptbahnhof; from the station, it's around a 15-20 minute walk into the UNESCO-listed old town, where you can follow signs to the Markt and St. Marien-Kirche, or take a local bus towards the city centre and walk the final few minutes through the historic streets. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

If you're travelling by car, Lübeck is easily reached via the A1 motorway; once you arrive, park in one of the car parks around the edge of the old town and then stroll into the centre, using the church's twin towers as landmarks to find the northern side where the devil statue waits. If you are looking to rent a car in Germany I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche

  • Suggested tips: Combine your visit to the devil statue with time inside St. Marien-Kirche to appreciate both the playful legend outside and the solemn memorials and artworks within.
  • Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon offers softer light and fewer crowds, making it easier to take photos and enjoy a quiet moment with the statue.
  • Entrance fee: Free - the statue is outdoors and accessible at any time.
  • Opening hours: The statue can be visited at all hours; church opening times for the interior are separate and vary by season.
  • How long to spend: Allow 10-20 minutes to see the statue, take photos, and read any nearby information, longer if you’re also visiting the church interior.
  • Accessibility: The area around the statue is generally level, though some nearby streets are cobbled; it’s easily reached on foot from the Markt.
  • Facilities: There are no facilities at the statue itself, but cafés, toilets, and shops are close by around the market square and main streets of the old town.
  • Photography tip: Shoot from slightly below the statue to emphasise the devil’s grin and the height of the church wall behind, or step back to capture both the figure and the towering brick façade.
  • Guided tours: Many walking tours of Lübeck stop at the devil statue to share the legend, making it a fun and informative way to hear the story told aloud.
  • Nearby food options: Follow the legend’s spirit and seek out one of the nearby taverns or cafés for a drink or snack after saying hello to the devil.

Where to Stay close to the Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche

To stay right in the historic heart of Lübeck within a short walk of St. Marien-Kirche, ATLANTIC Hotel Lübeck offers modern comfort close to the market square and the church’s towers.

For river views and easy access on foot to both the old town and the devil statue, Radisson Blu Senator Hotel is a great choice, just across the Trave with quick walking routes into the centre.

If you prefer a practical base near the station that still places you within walking distance of St. Marien-Kirche and its devil, Park Inn by Radisson Lübeck provides convenient access to both transport links and the historic core.

Is the Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche Worth Visiting?

The devil statue at St. Marien-Kirche is definitely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy places where legends bring serious architecture down to a more human scale. It adds humour and personality to one of Lübeck's most important churches, offers a memorable photo opportunity, and gives you a story to carry with you as you explore the rest of the old town. For families, folklore fans, and anyone who appreciates a touch of whimsy alongside history, it's a small stop with a big dose of charm.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (80)

Der Teufel is a small outdoor statue on a broken church column located beside the entrance to St. Mary's Church at Markttwiete 16D in Lübeck; visitors say it's an easy, no-ticket photo stop and locals sometimes dress it seasonally (recently in thick socks), and several reviews highlight an amusing local legend explaining the damaged column and a connection to a nearby Ratskeller.

Dejan Braki
2 years ago
"The Devil Statue sits on a demolished Church column (demolished by the Devil himself) just to the right from the entrance to the imposing St. Mary'sChurch. It's a great photo op many visitors take part in it without knowing the interesting legend. Namely, at the time of building in the 13c Devil thought that a bar was being built. He was delighted with that as he would attract many new to Hell because of drinking issues, so he joined forces with workers and helped building. Over the time Devil realized the Church was being built, so he started to demolish it destroying that column down. The solution was made with a promise to Devil to build the Ratskeller (bar) across the street (that's the one by the Town Hall today), so he continued helping the construction of St. Mary's..."
Ted S
2 years ago
"What can I say here except that it's an interesting statue with an impressive little history (kindly translated to english for all us tourists). Goodfor a photo and a quick stop walking around the city. Finding the statue: It's outside, next to the side of the church. No wait or tickets needed...."
Paul Heller
3 years ago
"Cute devil statue next to church and the town hall. Definitely worth a photo or two."

FAQs for Visiting Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche

The statue sits outside St. Marien-Kirche on the northern side of the church, close to the wall and a short walk from Lübeck’s main market square.
No, the devil statue is outdoors in a public space and can be visited free of charge at any time.
Yes, children often enjoy sitting next to the statue, touching the horns, or rubbing the devil’s knee, and it’s a popular stop on family walks.
Yes, there is a tavern close to the church, keeping the spirit of the story alive even if its exact historical link to the legend is more symbolic than literal.
Most visitors spend around 10-15 minutes here, often as part of a wider visit to St. Marien-Kirche and the surrounding streets of Lübeck’s old town.

Nearby Attractions to the Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche

  • St. Marien-Kirche (St. Mary's Church) - The vast Brick Gothic church towering above the statue, with a soaring nave, astronomical clock, and wartime memorial bells.
  • Lübeck Town Hall (Lübecker Rathaus) - A magnificent Gothic-Renaissance town hall on the nearby Markt, reflecting the city's Hanseatic power.
  • Holstentor - Lübeck's iconic Brick Gothic city gate guarding the western entrance to the old town and symbolising its trading might.
  • Salzspeicher - A row of historic salt warehouses along the Trave River that once stored valuable Lüneburg salt for Baltic trade.
  • Lübeck Old Town (Altstadt) - The UNESCO-listed island of medieval streets, gabled houses, and churches that surrounds St. Marien-Kirche and invites exploration in every direction.

The Devil Statue at St. Marien-Kirche appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lübeck!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Planning Your Visit

Hours:

The statue can be visited at all hours; church opening times for the interior are separate and vary by season.

Price:

Free – the statue is outdoors and accessible at any time.

Address: Markttwiete 16D, 23552 Lübeck, Germany
Lübeck: 0 km

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs